The most common sinus problem just might be one of the most nagging and difficult to manage in terms of symptoms and treatment.
A stuffy nose that seems to never go away and painful facial pressure are two of the main symptoms of a sinus infection, also known as rhinosinusitis, which can dramatically impact your quality of life. A sinus infection, which is diagnosed in 30 million adults in the United States every year, can cause you to miss school or work and leave you feeling fatigued with little energy.
This can happen no matter what type of sinus infection you may be experiencing. Types of sinus infections include:
- Acute – lasts up to four weeks
- Subacute – lasts four to 12 weeks
- Chronic – lasts 12 weeks and can continue for months or even years
- Recurrent – several diagnoses, or flareups, within a year
While rhinosinusitis is a common condition most of us have experienced, it can be tricky to treat, especially cases where symptoms persist or keep coming back.
The sinus care experts (rhinologists) at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, specialize in these complex sinus conditions that might require further exploration of the root cause or more advanced treatments, ranging from simple office procedures to complicated revision surgeries.
Not only is the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery ranked as one of the best ear, nose and throat (ENT) programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, we’re also a regional and national referral center for sinus care. Our sinus care specialists can collaborate with experts in allergies and asthma if those are contributing to your sinusitis.
What is a sinus infection, or rhinosinusitis?
Sometimes referred to as just sinusitis, health care providers generally prefer the term rhinosinusitis (with “rhino” meaning nose), as the condition almost always involves the nose as well as the sinuses.
Your sinuses, which are hollow spaces surrounding the nose, create mucus to drain into your nose and clean the air you breathe in. A sinus infection occurs when the sinuses become swollen and blocked. These blocked sinus cavities often fill with fluid that allows germs to grow, leading to an infection.
A sinus infection is usually accompanied by a cold or allergies, two conditions that cause inflammation in the sinus and nasal tissues. Other conditions that can lead to rhinosinusitis include:
- Deviated septum and other nasal structure abnormalities
- Nasal polyps
- Enlarged adenoids
- Nose injuries, including foreign objects stuck in the nose
- Tooth infections
Sinus infection symptoms
Symptoms of rhinosinusitis can be nagging and they include:
- Stuffy nose and congestion
- Runny nose
- Postnasal drip where mucus runs down your throat
- Facial pain and pressure
- Sinus headache
- Coughing
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Bad breath
How is a sinus infection diagnosed?
To diagnose rhinosinusitis, we’ll ask you about your symptoms and perform a thorough exam of your ears, nose and throat, looking for any signs of inflammation, blockage or drainage. We might use a tool called an endoscope, which is a small instrument with a light on it.
Other tests we might do to help diagnose a sinus infection include:
- X-rays of the sinuses
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Nose cultures
- Blood tests